I have.....a new baby!

Well, not the people kind of baby, but MY baby LOL. I got this:


I LOOOOOOOVE it!! Although I haven't had a lot of time to play with it (the kids and I have all been sick...fun stuff), I finally managed to get some shots that I love. :) (Click on the pictures to see the whole thing) :)









Now I just need to get my boys to cooperate so I can get some good shots of them! :)

30 things this year

To help me achieve the goals I've made this year, here are 30 things that I want to accomplish this year. To read more "30 things" go to Lolly's.

1. I will practice the piano much more often.

2. I will go on more outings with my kids.

3. I will make cards for birthdays for loved ones--and send them out

4. I will make a blanket for ME.

5. I will hopefully start a photog business, or at least be closer to that goal.

6. I will make strawberry jam.

7. I will drink more water.

8. I will make more time for each of my children independently.

9. I will plan a romantic getaway for my husband and I.

10. I will do Family Home Evening.

11. I will read the BOM.

12. I will make time for friends. (which is never easy when you have small children, let alone 4 small children).

13. I will go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier without complaint (HA!--no promises).

14. I will learn to cook healthier for the whole family.

15. I will call my mom more just to chat. (I know she's probably thinking...Ohhhh great LOL).

16. I will have more pictures framed and on my walls.

17. I will take more pictures.

18. I will start a school scrapbook for Lexi.

19. I will learn to say no.--always a work in progress for me

20. I will sing more (no american idol auditions from me, but I love to sing, especially to my kids).

21. I will go puddle jumping with my kids.

22. I will keep up with my laundry, even tho I hate it.

23. I will make my bed when I get out of it in the mornings (well unless Rob is still in it).

24. I will make curtains for the house.

25. I will learn to sew better.

26. I will laugh more.

27. I will blog more. :D

28. I will exercise more.

29. I will try something new.

30. I will jump up and down 30 times if I get everything done LOL!

ok, I admit it...

My name is Erin and I am a closet American Idol fan. There I said it.

BUT in my defense, I think Simon generally is rude and a lot of times way too personal when he tells someone their horrible. It's one thing to say you're bad but quite another to say you're bad AND you look like a bush baby....even if you do.

The thing that I just don't get is this: (well besides the large amounts of people who can't sing who REALLY thought that they WERE the next American Idol.) Last night there was a kid on (I think he was 16 or 17) and he really couldn't carry a tune in a bucket (that's my professional opinion). After receiving the no-go, he proceeded out to his family where he cried. He said "I just wanted to start out famous". And his mother (well I assume it was his mother anyway) told him "You will be famous...you will!".
I know you want to help your children reach their goals, but I think there has to be some kind of reality check in there somewhere.

Is it similar to when you have a baby and you think it's the cutest baby in the history of ALL MANKIND? Does she really think he's destined to be a singing legend?? Or will she look back to this and think what the heck was I thinking?? Much like the funny newborn pictures that, while cute, are a little funny looking to you now. :D

There. My secret is out.

a mother in training

Alexis has always the motherly type. Perhaps it's because she was only 13 months old when she had to make room for a sibling. Maybe it's being the oldest child. Whatever the reason, it's times like today when it tugs at my heart at the love she shows her siblings.
David is sick with RSV and croup and has been pretty miserable today. He has basically sat in my arms dozing off and on most of the day. When I was trying to make dinner, I had to put him down and he was fussy. So without saying anything, she picked him up and just held him. Pretty soon she was calling me into the living room to show me this:


She is always so happy that she could help out, particularly with David and Haley who are younger. Robby is a little older and doesn't need as much "mothering" although she's been known to mother him around from time to time. :)

A huge milestone....BUT

Haley has always had a hate relationship with the potty. It always been me begging her to wear panties and bribing her to go potty. I thought eventually she'd just take it from I left off, but she really just doesn't care.
Today when she woke up, without any discussion, I put her in panties as soon as she got up. I always have put her in a diaper for naps because she takes a pretty long nap. And everyday, she willing takes the panties off and says "I don wanna wear my pannies anymoie". Today I was running late to get Lexi from school, so I didn't bother putting panties back on her, but as soon as we got home, I bribed her again LOL. So, she willingly put panties back on to get some juice.
Somehow tonight, we were talking about diapers (Rob was making a big deal that she was wearing panties--you know praising her for doing a good job) and I told her we'd have a party when she was all done with diapers. So she excitedly told me she is done and she is not wearing diapers anymore (and even told me that only David will wear diapers now). I am overjoyed that she's so excited to be done with diapers, BUT she refused to wear one to bed, and I know I'm not THAT lucky. But I didn't want to dampen her spirits so I let her go to bed in panties. I'm sure I'll be kicking myself when I'm washing sheets in the morning, but what can I do!?! ACK!

My only thought was to take her potty when I go to bed. Guess we'll see....Any advice is GLADLY welcome (sought after) :D She's by far my hardest potty trainer.

...and the boy had his cake

I should have posted these earlier, but better late than never, right?
He thoroughly enjoyed (as did mom) his chocolate cake, but had to have some help blowing out his candle. ;)

Rainy days and rainbows

This was the view outside my house this afternoon.

It rained on and off all day today (mostly on). After a long day indoors except for a short outing to get Lexi from school (where I got soaked), it was a great surprise to see not one but 2 rainbows. I have NEVER seen a rainbow so bright (the picture doesn't do it justice). You could clearly make out each color. It was so bright and just beautiful. I made all the kids come outside and look at it too...and there we stood until it disappeared. It definitely made all that rain worthwhile.